I love living in older homes and apartments – they have such history and charm, but in winter they often let in lots of chill through poorly insulated windows. Here are some of my favorite DIY window seal ideas to help keep the heat (and your money!) from flying out the window.

Window Seal Ideas for Winter Windows

1. DIY curtains

A layer of material can make all the difference to your winter windows. Make your own curtains from scratch, or consider sewing or using hem tape to add an extra layer to the back of your curtains with fleece or an inexpensive flat sheet.

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2. Plastic window film

You can make your own plastic window film with leftover bubble wrap or cheap cellophane, but the kits available in hardware stores are pretty inexpensive. This project takes a little bit of work, and you won’t be able to open the windows until the weather is warmer, but it’s a simple way to save a lot of money.

3. Plastic bag insulation

You know all those plastic shopping bags you keep on hand for small trashcans or cleaning the litter box? Stuff them into the cracks along your windows for super fast and free insulation!

4. Caulk all the things

Caulk is an inexpensive way to fill in the cracks around your window. Added bonus: look down and check out cracks along the floor boards. I live in an old apartment with hardwood floors, and filling in some of the cracks in the floor near the door made a huge difference!

Do you have window seal tips or ideas? Share them in the comments!